J Bone Joint Surg Br
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J Bone Joint Surg Br · Mar 1991
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe treatment of Colles' fracture. Immobilisation with the wrist dorsiflexed.
In a prospective study, 204 consecutive patients with displaced Colles' fractures had closed reduction then plaster immobilisation. Three different positions of the wrist in plaster were randomly allocated: palmar flexion, neutral and dorsiflexion. ⋯ Immobilisation of the wrist in palmar flexion has a detrimental effect on hand function; it is suggested that it is also one of the main causes for redisplacement of the fracture. This is discussed in relation to the functional anatomy of the wrist and the mechanics of plaster fixation.